Écovallée Qualité: the first five years

The “frame of reference for the environmental quality of the development and construction in the Plaine du Var” by the Plaine du Var Éco-Vallée Public Development Establishment and its partners, encourages all players in the construction sector to aspire to environmental excellence in their building, development and renovation activities in the Éco-Vallée.

Last 6 July, Christian Estrosi and EPA Nice Eco-Vallée presented a report on the results of the first five years of Écovallée Qualité, the quality baseline specific to the Plaine du Var Operation of National Interest devised in 2012, to support policy aiming to design an Ecovalley project that offers pleasant living conditions, is profitable for its inhabitants and future generations.

Écovallée Qualité: the results of the first five years of environmental awareness

84 projects (new construction and renovation alike) have been launched in the entire Éco-Vallée;

635000m² of surface area are concerned;

45% of green surfaces for each operation to create a total of 16 hectares of parks and gardens;

40% drinking water economised on average for each operation;

14,000 MWh saved every year: equivalent to the annual consumption of 3,000 homes;

83% of waste-to-energy recycling of construction waste (3 years before the European Directive setting the goal for 70% recycling by 2020);

Volume of wood in construction threefold higher than the national average;

85 months of work for persons in difficulty.

Some pilot projects and realisations

Tramway Maintenance Centre and Park & Ride: Scheduled for completion 2018 - 6,000m² green roof – 84% of the building’s primary energy needs covered by a groundwater geothermal system – 13,000 hours of work reserved for the Local Office for inclusion through employment – 45% water savings

Anis Nice Méridia: office building – Scheduled for completion end of 2018 – 46% of energy needs covered by renewable energy sources – Recycled and organic materials of local origin

Palazzo Méridia: 35m high – ground floor + 9 stories (tallest office in France) – First energy-positive building in Nice Écovallée – Scheduled for completion end of 2018 – Less than 20% energy consumption in comparison with RT 2012 - 900 tonnes of wood of French origin – Rainwater recycling to water plants.